Have you heard the story of ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’? It’s a tale about a vain emperor who was tricked by two swindlers who flattered him to believe that he was buying invisible clothes that only the wise can see. In reality, he is wearing nothing at all. This story is a warning about not being taken in by flattery and not being vain. This is what is known as an allegory, a tale that conveys a complex, abstract, or difficult message through the art of storytelling.
In this article, you will learn all about allegories, and how they compare with other literary devices. You’ll also learn about the different types of allegory, and when it’s best to use an allegory in your writing or teaching. You’ll also get a few examples of allegory to help you to get a ‘feel’ of what an allegory is, and a handy FAQ section.
And without further ado…
What is an allegory?
Simply put, an allegory is a tale that conveys a complex, abstract, or difficult message by means of storytelling.
Across all cultures, people love a good story whether it’s recited aloud or in written format, which is what makes it such a great technique for conveying complex ideas, no matter who the audience is.
A well put together allegory can capture interest and attention easily and can be used to explain things that would otherwise be quite difficult to put across. The audience becomes invested in the character’s story, and when the hidden message is realised, the message tends to stick because it has become personal for the audience.
Another great thing about allegories is that they can provide a way of saying something that cannot safely be said outright or explicitly. (There’ll be an example of this a little later.)
How does an allegory compare with other literary devices?
It’s easy to confuse an allegory with other literary devices, but hopefully this section will make things a little clearer for you.
Allegory vs. parable
In all honesty, allegories and parables are very similar to one another, so it’s no surprise when people struggle to differentiate between the two. Some would say that parables and fables are simply shortened allegories.
The term ‘parable’ is most often used in religious studies, because a parable is a short story which is used to make an ethical, moral, or spiritual point. Many religions are known for their parables, but parables do not always pertain to a particular religion, or to religion at all.
Some allegories can be used in religious contexts, but allegories can also have a political motive. The key to telling apart an allegory from a parable is through whether the narrative has a hidden or explicit meaning. An allegory is a story with a hidden meaning.
Some poems can also be considered allegories, when they tell a story and have a hidden meaning that is not made explicit.
Allegory vs. fable
It’s surprisingly easy to distinguish between an allegory and a fable. While both allegories and fables are stories that carry an important hidden message, the difference is that allegories will only feature human characters, while a fable may feature animals or other non-human characters.
Allegory vs. metaphor
While an allegory is a whole entire story, even if it is short sometimes, this is not usually the case with a metaphor. A metaphor is a different type of literary device. While a metaphor can also be used to convey a complex message, it does so much more succinctly.
Or to be more specific, a metaphor is a figure of speech where two things are being compared with one another. This is usually just a few words, but can sometimes be an entire sentence or even a passage of writing of more than one paragraph. The way to tell a metaphor apart from an allegory is whether or not you are reading an entire short story.
Allegory vs. anecdote
Anecdotes have much in common with allegories in that they are both short stories that are told to drive home a particular point. The key difference is that an allegory is always fictitious, whereas anecdotes are always true stories that are drawn from someone’s personal experience.
Allegory vs. allusion
The similarity between allegories and allusions lies in the way that they don’t state their points outright. An allegory is a story with a hidden meaning, which may be moral or political. Meanwhile, an allusion is when something is referenced or alluded to in writing. The reference could be to a well-known person, character, event, or place.
When an allegory is particularly well-known, you could allude to it as part of an essay or article or speech and so on.
When to use an allegory
The great thing about allegories is that you can use them with any audience, because of how simply and effectively they can convey complex ideas. So long as the story makes sense on its own and the underlying message is clear, you can go ahead and let loose. You get to be as creative as you like!
Types of allegory
Allegories can be categorised in two different ways, namely by the tradition it comes from, or from the literary device it uses. Allow me to explain…
Tradition
Biblical
Allegories can be found in an array of different sacred texts. The most well known biblical allegories are ones from the Christian bible, but you can also find allegories in the sacred texts of other religions as well, such as Taoism. Many biblical allegories are often referred to as religious parables.
It’s worth noting at this point that biblical allegories are not limited to sacred texts, they can be found in an array of different media. They often have themes of good vs evil.
Classical
Classical allegories are allegories that are derived from Ancient Rome or Ancient Greece. Or in other words, were established between the 8th century BC and the 5th century AD.
Modern
Don’t be fooled into thinking that all allegories are from centuries ago, they are still very much present here in the 21st century. One example would the the story of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz written by L. Frank Baum, and published in 1900, before being made into a film released in 1939. The modern allegory addresses the social and political concerns of Americans at the time.
Literary device
In addition to being categorised by when or where the allegory emerges from, they can also be classified according to which other literary devices are used to tell the story. Here are some examples.
Symbolic
In a symbolic allegory, a character or object is not just a transparent vehicle for an idea; it has depth, personality, and a role that contributes to the plot beyond the idea it symbolises. For instance, in The Great Gatsby, the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock is not only a physical object in the novel, but it also symbolises Gatsby’s unattainable dreams.
Personification
A personification allegory is a type of allegory in which abstract concepts, such as virtues, vices, or emotions, are represented as human characters or figures, embodying these ideas to convey deeper moral, philosophical, or social messages. (An example is Animal Farm, discussed very shortly.)
Examples of allegories
Here’s an abridged version of a modern allegory for you. (Technically it’s more of a fable than allegory.) This will give you the gist of how a complex concept can be easily conveyed in story form.
Animal farm
Animal Farm is a short book by George Orwell published in 1945 with an allegory about a group of farm animals who revolt against their human farmer, hoping to create a society where the animals can be equal, free, and happy. However, their rebellion leads to a regime that is just as oppressive as the one they sought to overthrow. The tale’s hidden meaning is a depiction of the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the subsequent rise of the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin.
The story begins on a farm where the animals succeed in rebelling against their owner to take control of the farm. Initially, the farm operates on the principles of equality, with the maxim “All animals are equal” as their guiding principle. The pigs, being the most intelligent animals, assume leadership roles.
But, as the pigs gain power, they become indistinguishable from the oppressive rulers they replaced, walking on two legs, and treating the other animals just as they had been treated by their former owner, demonstrating the corrupting influence of power. “All animals are equal” changes to “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others”. The idealistic start had become a repressive state where those in power exploit the masses.
The Boy Who Cried Wolf
‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’ is a classic fable about a young shepherd boy who tends to a flock of sheep near a village. Bored and seeking attention, the boy decides to shout, “Wolf! Wolf!” even though no wolf is in sight. The villagers, believing him, rush to his aid only to find that the boy has played a trick on them. Amused by their reaction, the boy repeats this prank several times, each time fooling the villagers.
However, one day, a real wolf appears, threatening the flock. The boy cries out for help with genuine fear, “Wolf! Wolf!” But this time, the villagers, tired of his false alarms, ignore his cries, assuming it’s just another one of his tricks. As a result, the wolf attacks the sheep, and the boy learns a harsh lesson about the consequences of lying.
The fable conveys a powerful message about the importance of honesty and the dangers of deceit. It teaches that when someone habitually lies, they lose the trust of others, and even when they eventually tell the truth, they may not be believed. The story serves as a warning that trust, once broken, is difficult to restore, and that lies can lead to serious consequences.
FAQ
How does an allegory work?
An allegory is a story that features characters and scenes that carry symbolic meaning. Reader’s attention is fixed on the surface of the story, while a hidden, symbolic story runs on below.
What are the different kinds of allegories?
The different kinds of allegories are:
- Biblical
- Classical
- Modern
- Personification allegories
- Symbolic allegories
Is the Bible an allegory?
There are certainly parts of the bible that contain allegorical elements, such as the parables told by Jesus to his disciples and other followers.
However, it cannot be known how factually accurate the Christian bible is. This is because it’s literally thousands of years old, it has been through several translations, and it was written by multiple different authors.
That said, many Christians and Jews have long regarded the book of Genesis as an allegory, believing that real people were discussed in an allegorical sense.
Did Jesus speak in allegories?
Jesus often used parables, metaphors, and allegories to teach broad moral and spiritual points.
Final word
So, in summary, an allegory is a narrative that tells a whole story in order to convey a complex or difficult concept to its audience.
It’s a valuable literary device, particularly for teaching important messages to young children. Allegories are often used in religious contexts, or to instil beneficial moral behaviour in the audience. Allegories are also used by companies in their marketing campaigns to entice people to purchase their products or services.
An allegory is distinct from other literary devices in a number of different ways, but also has much in common with many of them. Now, you’ll be able to spot when someone is using an allegory, and you could even create one yourself!